Real Vampires: Glory Does Vegas Bartlett, Gerry (good fiction books to read .txt) 📖

place I’d never been but, somehow, I had memories… I drank and a tear ran down my cheek.

“You like it?” Dominic put his hand on my shoulder, ignoring Valdez who was suddenly awake and had hopped out of his chair to stand beside me.

“I love it. There’s something exotic about it. I suddenly have the urge to belly dance.” I laughed and did a little bump and grind. “Silly isn’t it?”

“Not silly at all.” He stared at me with hot eyes. “Maybe you’re working for me in the wrong department.”

“Oh, I’m too short to be in the dance act. Plus, I won’t dance topless.” I flushed. He was close. I’d clearly gone too far with my silly moves.

“Too bad. You’d look great topless.” His voice had deepened and he stepped closer. Valdez growled, a menacing sound that made even me step back.

“Hey, shifter, you want to step outside?” Dominic wasn’t afraid. “You want to go a few rounds with me? I can shift too, you know.” He let his fangs lengthen and stared at Valdez.

“Stop it, Valdez. Dom and I are talking business. In fact, get out of here. Now.” I put my hand on Valdez’s collar. “I mean it. Go back to the break room. If I feel threatened, I’ll call you.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay?” He gave Dominic a hard look, his own canines showing.

“Very sure.” I was breathless, not only from the exotic synthetic blood, but also from the way Dominic had faced down my bodyguard. Was I crazy to be turned on by that macho act? What can I say? I’ve always liked a manly man.

“I’m going, but I’m not happy. I’ll be right here outside the door. Not in the damned break room.” Valdez walked out when Dominic threw open the door. Dom shut it firmly as soon as Valdez was in the hall.

“I sent him out so we could talk business, that’s all.” I sipped the exotic blood, trying not to gulp it down like I had the last one. I was warm and the entire room seemed to come into sharper focus.

“Whatever you say.” Dominic’s smile was knowing. Could he tell the heat from that blood had pooled where those shorts were digging between my thighs? I made it to a chair and sat again, keeping my knees together.

“What does this synthetics syndicate have to do with me, Dom?”

He settled behind his desk and opened a laptop. “I’m working on my contact list. Sending out invitations to high rollers, like I said. There will be men and women who can afford to invest. We’ll run these tastings like the ones in the expensive wineries in Napa.” He leaned across the desk. “We could shift and fly to one. Come with me and we can take a look at how the tastings are run.”

“I’ll take your word for it.” I wasn’t about to get into the fact that I didn’t shift. There was a tasteful clock on a shelf near that hidden refrigerator. Time was running out. Barb, the other waitress, would be mad if we got swamped and she had to handle it alone. “I still haven’t heard what my role is going to be.”

Dominic got up again. He was clearly restless and I stood too. Waiting. He was looking me over again. I knew men. This conversation was about to take a turn.

“Dom?”

“You can serve at these blood tastings. I’d thought I’d have to hire a mortal server. You know how complicated that would be in a room full of vampires. You’re perfect, if you’re willing. I like how you look now, very much.” His eyes made a tour of my body and I had to force myself to stand still for it. He was my boss. As long as this was look and not touch, I was okay with it.

“Sure, I’m willing.” I smiled. “But, I repeat, I’m not doing it topless.”

He laughed. “This will be for a more sophisticated crowd. We’ll have to find you something different to wear. More class, less ass.” He was still grinning. “Was that insulting?”

“Not at all. I’ve mixed with kings back in the day. I know how to act with the rich and famous.” I’d said too much and his eyebrows rose. Now I’d intrigued him. Not such a bad thing.

I realized I was high. My head felt like it was leaving my body and Dom looked really, really good to me. I wanted to lick the top of his glossy head when he ran his hand over it. Did he shine it with something?

Stray thoughts like that hit me. Why? It had to be that blood. There was no other explanation for these strange feelings that pinged through my brain randomly. I grinned at him when he seemed to float a few feet off the ground in front of me. Or maybe I was the one floating. I felt for the chair behind me and leaned against it before I fell.

“What was in that last blood anyway? I’m feeling a buzz.” I thought I’d better leave, but when I tried to walk, my high heels suddenly acted like stilts I couldn’t control.

“Maybe a little hashish. A buzz? You must be a lightweight. There wasn’t enough in there to do more than relax you. I know it just makes me loose.” He reached for my shoulder to steady me when I stumbled. “You ever feel lonely, being a vampire surrounded by mortals?” He ran his hand around my neck, feeling for my jugular.

“Sure.” I knew what he was doing. “I handle it.” I backed away and almost fell over. This was moving too fast and I was late. I lifted off his hand and wagged a finger in his face. “Hashish? You should have warned me. I hope I don’t mess up counting change tonight.” I finally made wobbly progress to the door and leaned against it. We needed to conclude our business. “Whoa. Maybe I’m a little dizzy. But